The Sun. — London, England, 1836-01-27 00:00:00

lORD BROUG HAM REFORM. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sir—Having elucidated the general prifreitil'es of Lord Brougham's Law Reforms in ttAy last commu nication, I shall now remark ttpon the progress of those use f u l , practical, and beneficent measures whirl.: have distinguished the present age in an etuilient de gree. Never was there passed, within so short a period, more sa l .utary and efficient enactments pecu liarly designed to ameliorat e the condition of the peo ple, to purify the legal departments, and to promote national 'prosperity. E very man admits that Lord Brougl:iain has been the illustrious personage who propounded and perfected these important amend tuents. Was not his primary object, on being treater] Lord Chancellor, to enjoy the opportunity of using such official influence for their final dccomplishinent ? Having eradicated many abuse which l o ng di sgrace d the f a b r i c of our legallnstit' a tions, h as h e no t p rocure d the substitution of o th er the enlightened spir it o f t h e age, regulati ons more consonant w i t h and renovated condition of the people ? Since such deportment deserves the highest nat'..onal commendation, is it not proper and necessary of the to sket c h t h e origin, and enumerate some many philanthropic law reforms, which have been effected by this learned, liberal, and persevering Statesman ? - 'The numerous amendments adopted, both in Law i and Equity, since February, 1828, when Lord Brougham made his celebrated motion for enquiring into the defects occasioned by time, and otherwise, in the law s of this realm, have produced the greatest ad vantages to various interests of the British people. His elaborate oration upon Law Reform clearly demonstrated how the procedure in our Courts should be rendered, trot only more expe di t i ous, but also less exPensive, so as to prevent needless and oppressive litigation. Th e errors occas i oned by a departure from t he original simple system of adjudication were in controvertibly propounded, together with remedies of a seasonable and appropriate nature. But, was not the policy of establishing the cheap, speedy, effective, and Impartial administ ra ti on o f j ust i ce pert i nently eluci dated, by adverting to certain facts and circum ra4ces whi c h transp i re d i n the tribunals where :.! l ad b een hi s L or d sh i p ' s province to prac tice, c e , during a long professional lif e ? F rom t h e ttc a io r u n i e t c t l e(i mode i n w hi c h t hi s ill ustr i ous Statesman the i m p or t ant un d erta ki ng, did not the to l ' s ' of Co mmons unan i mous l y resolve, respectfully 4 - rke(PleSt that his Majesty may be pleased to take tic" measures as may seem most expedient for the • 1:).11;rpose of cau s i n g d ue inquiry to be mad e i n t o t h e --gni, progress, and termination of actions in the su- Peri o , Court s o f C ommon Law, and into the state of the law regarding the transfer of Rea( Property ? ..,.,Lord Brougham having adopted the most prudent abuses and nuisances, which were incorporated with c "r l aws, and the dispensation of justice, two legal P ractic a l ✓ ceeration. Eminent barristers were em- Powered to examine into the procedure of our Courts, 1 , 4d , t13 in w h et h er any parts thereof might be con wen'elltly discontin ue d, a l tere d , or improved. They Z"e, likewise, to report what amendments or improve nts might b e b ene fi c i al l y made therein, and how le s ame might b e. b est carr i e d into effect ; besid es ;he law learned gentlemen were auth or i se d t o i nvest i gate z . '" law of Real Property. Was the re ever pro d uced in this nation anything like the quantity of importan t matter which these Commissioners, partly on their own 4lection, and partly f rom ev id ence an d facts adduced by others, have submitted to Parliament ? ilovvever, the Commi ss i oners generally agreed with la( lst of the Law Reforms propounded and recom -11! ended 1,), Lord B roug h am, many of which have been 81 nee either sanctioned by t h e superior Courts, or tnacted into laws. When elev a t e d to the highest Judicial rank, Lord Brougham introduced other amend ments to extirpate excrescences, curtail delays, abolish useless formalities, and nearl exactions t h at corro d e d an d y strangled the law, by too close and proximate an adherence. Far surpassing any of his predecessors by effecting politic improvements during the period of t illli . ng the office of Lord Chancellor, was not the repu tation of Lord Brougham pre-eminently signalized by u. istantial and well-considered Reforms in the Courts _t Common Law, the Court of Chancery, the Privy _Council, the Metropolitan Criminal Court, the Bank ru.,,PteY Jurisdiction, and the laws of Real Property ? i : r t t is it not advisable, bri e fl y since it cannot b e d eemed inop 'co oreview many of th e sa l utary acts and regul ten "s t l lat hav e b een a d opte d respecting the Court s of 1 - ; . Lord B ° equity, Common, and Criminal Law, since quo-hain first directed the attention of Parlia- I nent tn i , b . ' T he ands this most necessary subject ? ti ' A ct Passed for the more effectual administra on of Act passed Justice in England and Wales, empowered the 41 / I " ° itittnCo °f an additional Puisne Judge to each of the superior artsCo of Common Law. In all cases relating to their practice, ti com mon J o ... ~ . bulb the rismetion, the Judges were enabled to re nd orders P by making such general rules t i oll to mers as produced considerable approxima of the ards alliformity in the practical proceedings Terms w Common Law Courts. The duration of b, erlabii:M regulated by statute; other Acts passed for wi tti :la Courts of Law to order the examination of gi vin : es up on i nterrogatories and otherwise ; besides 1ia,.. i. _ 6 r elief a ga i nst adverse claims, made upon persons L il b no i nterest in the subject thereof. ro pt or d Brougham established the new Court of Bank terin • Yby an A ct which provided means for adminis e, ru pt, 6 a etl distributin g th e estate and effects of Bank ti' ' B esides of determining the qu es ti ons w hi c h f rom tne c ourtt o tim e ar i se touch i ng the same. This new 4, 1 t of Judicature was constituted a Court of Law I.3 ank luitY, to the end that the rights, as well of the foreedropts themselve s as of their creditors, may be en- The wi th little expense and uncertainty as possible. it ) , ~ Jud ges were formed into a Court of Review, hav „;:cPerintendence and control in all matters of Bank h..,_ Y' besid es power, jurisdiction, and authority to - and thereto determ ine, o r d er an d a l low all things relating eh 'as were usually brought before the Lord . r an cellor. 1 4-4041 Brougham's ' a vv3 and Act for the amendment of the better advancement of justice, authorised edgess to make alteration s in the mode of pleading in 'wllarnittt,eilbperior Courts, likewise as to the admission of documents. Actions of debt for rent, cove io o nd, or recognizance were limited to tell years; r Penalties ersto two years ; and six years in other cases, With ex , . as to persons under legal disabilities, ments in writing within the time. Sub hianidssa,oenkueol:vt; , ' to arbitration by rule of Court was made irre .._ ,attendance voc able • was rendered capabl e of of witnesses before the arbitrator arbitrators enforced ; and power g r anted for the arbitrators to admi n i ster oaths. The A c t f or the Limitation of r e l a tin g to Real P ro p erty, and f action s , an d S u i ts Or simplifying the re years of trying the rights thereto, limited to twenty . Y e ars, from the period of the right occurrin g , the time for makin g any entry or distress, or bringingany action tO recover ecove r any land or rent—besides it abolihed up wards o f sixty antiquated and ex p ens i ve for m s s of action h aving re f erence to land. The Acts for the 111 Am, ent of the L aw re l at i ng to Dower—Amendinend g th e . t , aw relating to the Estate of a Tenant by the curtesv 11-1 E SUN, LO UN, WEJiNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 183 g. LITERATURE. „i• hi I , ji _ A Pigo,crr_e f iL, Ake” nn the Wqf Mrrior.;.:TAL ,Otc.IJURATIOI\IB, By WILLIAM GLOVES, Esq. M.A. Of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law. London: Sweet ; and Steeeps; old Cti. 183 d. The Ba t tit,i.itt3 Voliiicillots of the Reformed 03fpoiltions will find the fullest information as to the laWs which hate been eridetM, and- the eases which have been cideided ) fespectitig their powefs 3 libefties, end property; in Mr. Glover's recent wotk; entitled " A Practical Treatise Hui the Lain , tit Municipal. iitiatited to the Recent Reforms," & e . Th e learned Author's Preface briefly, but explicitly, states that-- -, . " ob,ket of that id Aiipri4 the Pr9fessi on i and Publi c i n genera l, w i t h suc h p ra ti ca l nforni a tio t i io specting the constitution, principles, and powers of Municipal Corporations, as must be desirable at the present important crisis. The Author has compressed a succinct account of the ancient and modern Corporate system, together with a precise statement of the Reforms recently effected by the Legislature, for amending the Municipal institutions of Great Britain. The legal portion of the work comprises different chapters, explanatory of the law, with regard to the creation, internal constitution, elections, rights, records, bye-laws, property, public acts, and dissolution of Municipal Corporations ; with the proceedings in Mandamus and Quo Warrant°. Besides the collection of cases relative to these topics, the Author has endeavoured to state the nature and effect of various legisla tive provisions of practical importance, in a more familiar mode than is usually communicated by the technical phraseology of the Legislature." Mr. Glover appropriates the preliminary pages of his work to an historical summary of the Corporate ' Institutions, wherein the learned Author proves that among many abuses which existed under the late system, the profligate squandering of Municipal property, and the monopolising spirit which influenced the selection of Corporate officers, were indubitably manifest. The slightest effectual redress from civic misgovernment was utterly hopeless, whilst the power of nomination was not exercised by bodies which the charters re cognised. Such men were selected for discharging official duties, as neither medicated to the wants, nor complied with the interests, of the people. Cities and boroughs were generally governed in such an impo litic manner, as to prevent the upright and patriotic from seeking any participation in their Municipal privileges. No substantial alteration could be effected, whilst every individual previous to obtaining any situation of Corporate honour or emolument, was obliged to crouch and fawn upon certain irresponsible usurpers. Their devices and machinations could not be sur mounted, if Parliament had not co-operated with the people, and secured the freedom of every borough, by removing various obstacles, and duly reforming all Municipal Corporations. The learned Author, who is a practising barrister, of considerable research and experience, clearly shows that nothing could be more preposterous than the pro ceedings of self-elected Councils, which were uniformly repugnant with the spirit and letter of various char ters,!besides inconsistent with every principle of equity, justice, and common sense. But, Parliament wisely enabled every rate-paying inhabitant to establish his right and title to different important offices. Mr. Glover very properly observes that the Act which abo lishes Corporate abuses, also provides salutary and efficacious regulations for eradicating many iniquities and corruptions, which had nearly paralysed and ruined all our Municipal institutions. In order to make the improvements work practically for the be nefit of the respective cornmunities, it entrusted to the population and property of towns, suitable controul over the persons who might be elected as managers of their affairs. The recent Reforms have emancipated the nation from an oppression " worse than Egyptian bondage," especially since the refractory parties have been dispossessed of any controul or management over places which they illegally seized, and unrighteously retained. Great public benefits must thence be de rived, particularly since the operation of the new measure has ejected from the Councils all those who connived at the degradation of the people. The late Municipal elections have indubitably de monstrated the policy of admitting as burgesses all duly qualified inhabitants of the incorporated districts, and such individuals have been empowered to elect the Councillors who possess supreme municipal power. The local administratio n of justice has been likewise much improved by the appointment of suitable professional judges, and the jurisdiction of Borough Courts has been considerably extended. But, this valuable Act not only concerns the administration of justice, for it also regards the application of public funds ; gives the people important duties to perform ; opens to them a new career of public usefulness ; and entrusts to them the superintendence of their loci affairs. Mr. Glover demonstrates that these Reforms and other improvements recently effected in the Corpora tions of England, Wales, and Scotland, were consi dered with assiduous attention before their final adop tion by Parliament. Since these Institutions were originally framed at a most remote period, it was obviously necessary that they should be adapted to the increased intelligence, wealth, and numbers of the people, by introducing therein popular election, se curing popular controul, and obtaining for the public service those persons best qualified to discharge various municipal duties. Besides establishing an effective system of local police, and providing for the due ad ministration of justice, regulations were also enacted for maintaining order and enforcing economy—mea sures evidently calculated to allay discontent, promote peace, and procure for those communities the advantages of responsible government. Similar pertinent remarks are likewise made through out this important Practical Treatise, wherein the learned Author adduces numerous cases bearing on the law of Municipal Corporations, and suitably adapts their construction to the recent reforms which are fully and dispassionately detailed. But, from all the cases and statutes to which Mr. Glover refers, be clearly demonstrates that " Municipal Corporations exist for the public good, in order to protect and advance the local government of cities and boroughs ; besides ren dering substantial services to the citizens and burgesses. These individuals or societies have been invested by law with a political character and personality wholly dis tinct from their natural capacity . ; and chiefly intended as the means of perpetuating their rights and their duties. Such Institutions must be viewed as public trusts, not conferred upon individual members for their own emolument, but for the benefit of that community over which they preside." We' find in Mr. Glover's work some suitable obser vations respecting the reform of Irish Municipal Cor porations, which is likely to engage the immediate consideration of Parliament. The learned Author states that Henry 11. first introduced the laws and institu tions of England into that kingdom. Corporate pri vileges were conferred on the principle of residence or occupancy, and burgage tenure. But, having already exceeded the usual limits, we shall conclude our ex tracts by the following observations with respect to the Irish Corporations " In reference to their constitution and structure, the ex isting Municipal Corporations in Ireland may be divided into two classes, namely :—first, those in which the commonalty or "freemen have, directly or indirectly, a voice in, or controul over, the election of the corporate officers, or the management of some of the corporate business; and secondly, those in which no class of freemen is, in practice, recognized ; or in which, if admitted, they arc, from the defective constitution of the corporate body or by usurpation, practically excluded from all interference in the administration of the corporate affairs, and in the election of the municipal authorities. " No rational doubt can be entertained respecting the neces sity which exists for reforming the Municipal Corporate Institu. 1 tion3 of Ireland. The righ'iS Arittril4ileomf oriiinally conferred on the residenpiihOjtantS pf : N' , 4l!rionS clife . ,'s ' kliti . . , c f kmltt&otTlis, shotild i be,reS, 91 . 0 i:), thpir.PriOith.e . ti'SeS, besideg etficrifOot3 alteigliA! erth , :, 1 04, fai i4tudvoic ie4oliAbile• goitintrittit of the respectiVe, districts. Amm6se e:fidie4 n iten , &,•, revenues, and tolls, with power of taxation over different eltic.4!i l totns ' and horoUghi; we,r ti e anciently granted to th e Mayor, Sheriff's, and eiti,;eYs, 8 1 r, the Said.. in 4 hers who st r i ct l y an d l ega ll y composed the Corporation. but, iiiike4iYeni Corruptions and usurpations infringed upon and nullified the eipte§o erants of many charters, while certain detached bodies assumed absolute dominion over incomes originally devoted to public uses, but which iitete afterifi'ards this - Appropriated to sinister private pur jicige§. The tiegigiatilie Ought td sdnetion a iteaStire Or Corpora tion Reform for Ireland, eoidany eftensiVe with the Act re cently adopted for this kingdoni.. the ancient grants of the Crottri W thE bofotiAl of Ireland were'ooinfarttially similar to those of England ; ' . .nil ifid Municipal docultients prove, that the practices and usages in hoth tniinifieg ‘, , e're founded on the same common law principles. Kings of tot larici granted and confirmed to the inhabitants resident in differ6lli eottnivinities of iteldfidi their heirs and successors, various charterg, tVliiell were in precise dOtifefinit tith the rovisions of Saxon lawg and customs. Let the ancient Cdtrt+rnte Institutions be, therefore, adapted to the increased intelligencti of t people, in order to secure the services of those persons most use in the management of local affairs, as well as to promote the due administration of justice. Since Acts of Parliament, amend ing the: existent Corporations, besides conferring new rights and privileges upon various cities, towns, an d boroughs of England, Scotland, and Wales, hare been recently passed, the Legislature ought, likewise, to enact a similar measure of Irish Corporation Reform, for the purpose of assimilating the relative positions of every quarter of the United Kingdom." Several very able works have recently appeared on the subject of Corporation Reform ; some of them are written by men highly distinguished in the profession of the law ; but with every disposition to do ample • justice to their respective merits, we know of no single production comparable, in point either of utility or re search with Mr. Glover's Treatise on the present state of the Municipal Institutions of the United Kingdom. MUSIC. CRUSE'S PSALMS ; BEING A CONTINUA TION OF THE PSALMS OF THE CHURCH. BY EDWARD CRUSE. London. Published by D'Almaine and Co. This work, which the clever composer whose name it bears, assures us has bee❑ prepared under the imme diate sanction and protection of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, posiesses the rare advantage, over almost every other collection of church music, of being adapted to the religious forms of every sect of Christians, apart from the professors of Catholicism. We thank Mr. Cruse for having bethought him of some neutral ground upon which all Reformers might meet in harmony, and in the true spirit of Christian charity unite in thanksgiving to their common Father who is in Heaven. The music of these Psalm!, is adapted for one, two, four, or more voices ; accom panied with an excellent condensation of the arrange ment necessary for the introduction of instrumental performers. Prefixed to the work is an Essay on the Rudiments of Music ; followed by clear and concise instructions in singing, privately and congregationally ; with several very suitable observations on the duties of an organist. The music is well arranged, and is, moreover, enriched with some of the choicest melodies of the most eminent composers of every nation. The religious of every reformed creed will be happy in the opportunity thus afforded them of patronizing this work. MENTOR. THE CHANCELLORSHIP. (from the Kelso Chronicle.) Moat of Our readers are aware of the inconvenience that has been for many years experienced in consequence of the onerous duties that had to be performed by the Lord High Chancellor of treat Britain. He was Supreme Judge of the Court of Equity —sat upon all cases of appeal, not only from the Courts in England, but from those of Scotland and Ireland—and was, besides, Speaker of the House of Lords, in which capacity he not only presided during the Parlia mentary session, but was one of the chief advisers of the Crown in all political matters. Two evils of great magni tude were thus entailed upon the community —one, that the Judge in Equity and upon cases of Appeal was not inde pendent of the Executive, but removeable at pleasure—the other, that this same Judge upon appeal was the very indi vidual who had sat as Judge in the Court below. The business that had accumulated upon his hands—the cases that stood over for decision—the enormous sinecures that were created--and the dissatisfaction that prevailed—the families who were thus irretrievably ruined, and private pro perty that was bound up in the Court of Chancery—have formed the theme of unceasing complaint, both within and without Parliament, for these last five -and-twenty years. True it is that Lord Brougham has done much to put a stop to the abuses that existed, and, after signalizing him self in the House of Commons, as the uncompromising op ponent of the corruptions to which Lord Eldon so long clung with such pertinacity, has furnished a most triumphant answer to the sinister remarks of those narrow-minded indi viduals who would make it appear that the taking office had changed his views on the subject of reform in the Court of Chancery. More remains, however, to be done. We have not before us the whole of the reductions which Lord Brougham effected during Lord Grey's Administra tion, but subjoin the following : Present In- Do. of De- Future Savin g come of puty and Income. £ exp enses . X £ £ £ Clerk of Hanaper ... ...... 2,800 550 200 3,150 Clerk of Crown Clerk of Patents BlO 395 400 805 Registrar of Affidavits Clerk of Custodies Clerk of Presentations Clerk of Dispensations Patentee of Spa Chaff Wax Sealer Prothonotary Patentee of Bankruptcy 7,500 1,500 9,000 18,268 6,202 2,800 21,670 The saving thus effected has been disposed of in the fol lowing manner :-9,0001. to the suitors—they have been relieved from fees to that amount ; 2,8341. have been paid to the suitors' fund ; and 9,736/. have been paid to the ac count of the consolidated fund. Now, it is to be remem bered that all these offices were in the gift of the Chancel lor, and former Chancellors had given them to their rela tives ; that they had even been made the subject of mar riage settlements. Two of the officers (the Clerk of the Patents, and the Registrar of the Affidavits,) were held by the brother of the Lord Chancellor, which were abolished instantly ; the others were abolished as they fell in. The masters, upon an average, received 3,9001. a-year from fees, &c. ; they are now paid a fixed sum of 2,500/. a year each, and, as there are ten of them, the saving is 14,000/.. per annum. The following are the reductions in the Master's office : Present Future Saving to Income. Salaries. Public. Masters, averaging 3,900/. a-year £ £ £ each Their chief clerks, averaging 1,300/. a-year each 13,000 10,000 3,000 The master of report-office. 4,3(X) 1,100 3,300 The registrars and their clerks 27,690 14,050 13,750 The two examiners 86,500 51,450 35,050 The masters are to be paid from the suitors' dead fund, so that tl , e actual saving, in all future suits will be the total of the masters' present income ..• Savings by their chief clerks Savings by registrars and clerks... 39,000 3,000 13,750 There has been thus an immediate saving to suitors, in tw•o offices alone, of per annum . _ 55,750 Besides this and many other valuable reforms in our Courts, Lord Brougham not only disposed of every cause brought before him, but of all those interminable arrears which had appeared so utterly hopeless to all other Chan cellors. Lord Brougham, however, saw that it was ne cessary to make a change in the constitution of the Court ; and those who have witnessed his gigantic exertions can bear testimony to the impossibility of any judge continuing such laborious and exhausting efforts for any lengthened time His Lordship accordingly brought forward a Bill, two Sessions ago, to separate the judicial from the political functions of the Great Seal. MANCHESTER. --EXTENSIVE COMMERCIAL FAILURE OF MESSRS. ROSTRON.—Yesterday the tow❑ was electrified by the announcement of the stoppage of the firm of Messrs. Rostron, extensive fustian manufacturers, and shippers of almost all other descriptions of goods to every part of the world. The claims upon the house are variously stated, but none seem to think they can be less than 200,000/.—a large sum, when the very low price of cotton goods is duly considered. The same goods, in 1826, would have amounted to 500,0001. sterling. The loss falls chiefly on the manufacturers. The bankers have escaped pretty well, all things considered. Two of these establish ments are creditors for 7,0001. each, and a third for 6,0001. There are twenty-seven other creditors, whose claims are between 90,0001. and 100,000/. The firm shipped largely to America, and probably the late fire at New York has accelerated their stoppage, though nothing could eventually have prevented it. IR VINGITES.—On Sunday week, Mr. Spencer Perceval, one of the apostles of this sect, had an audience of the King at Brighton. He was deputed by his fellow apostles, but the particular purport of the message with which he was charged to his Majesty has not yet transpired. We understand, from several quarters, that the sect is ra pidly increasin g . Several cle rg y men h ave j o i ne d i t, an d others are said to have become convinced of the divine au. thority of the new doctrines. Some of the proselytes are Methodists, whom the preachers, by laboriously inculcating the doctrine of implicit faith, have prepared for swallowing the greatest enormities in the shape of religious truth. A whole family have left the Islington Chapel and society. A lady in the City-road congregation has announced her con version, much to the consternation of certain persons who bore her a cupboard love. Some local preachers also have imbibed the Irvingite notions. A few days ago a Metho dist in Lambeth was expelled in consequence of having contracted this taint.—Christian Advocate. INSOLENCE REWARDED.-Yesterday a big coal heaver, in passing through the Strand, about five o'clock in the afternoon, amused himself by insulting every person, both male and female, within his reach ; till at length a gentleman, who received a kick from this black diamond, laid him prostrate on mother earth. The gentleman was followed by the diamond, and a concourse suited to the oc casion, to a considerable distance, when C'oaly again made play, by collaring the gentleman, who, in return, gave him such a precious pummelling, that the black diamond re ceived his quantum sufficit without a murmur. SUPERB HAT, BY MR. PHILLIPS, OF HULL. -- A very splendid hat has been manufactured expressly for his Majesty, pursuant to an order specially received from the King, through Sir Herbert Taylor. It is manufactured of real beaver—a most costly article, lined with white satin and padded—the whole being extremely light, and fitted for the wear of a comfortable old gentleman, whose head may sometimes ache with the cares of office. The body of the hat, and getting up of the article, is worth about 10/.—the beaver of which it is composed selling at the rate of 11 guineas a pound. On the inside of the crown are the Royal arms emblazoned in gold, with the followin g inscripti on en graved :—" This specimen of the art of t-makin g , ma nufactured for his most gracious Majesty King William IV. by his faithful and loyal subject, Samuel Phillips, Hull Advertiser. 'of England—for AtrrthirliNj the Law of Inheritance ; with the Aei Abolition of Fines and Itecove ti. have effected most beneficial reforms, and important, national improvements in the Law of Iteal But, Sir, without pronlsM't3.‘ l .'g- any further salutary measureß lA-Can - it,' allow me to ask, does not the ‘Vtible community entertain great and deserved. , gktti - - tude for the many prudent and eXtehii'Ve effected by Lord livongh'am revi.:(*s I Obtaining office, and dating his t•OlktiittAtiCe therein ? Wheneva his attention Was clitetted to any case of grievance Or oppressi'&4 Were not his powerful tak,t'A anclindomitz able energy, uniformly exertitejt in suppott of the a.B - while th Nople—saiitspOpidi lex— possessed in this intrepid Atatesman, an honest and independent advocate ? Besides, this philanthropic legislator having boldly cut the gordian knot of com plicated delays, together with having pierced the laby rinth of technical sophistry, abolished the most un meaning fictions, and extirpated multifarious legal abuses—is not Lord Brougham, therefore, justly entitled to be designated the THESEUS or LAW REFORM ? I remain, &c. Chancery. lane, Jannary 25, 1836. IRELAND. MR. O'CONNELL.—THE UNION.—POOR LAWS. On SatUrday the annual dinner on behalf of the St. Bridget's Charity, took place at Radley's Hotel, Dame street. DANIEL O'CONNELL, Esq., M.P. (who on his entrance into the dining-rooms a few minutes after six o'clock, was greeted with the most enthusiastic cheering), presided. After the cloth was removed, Mr. O'CONNELL rose and was again received with the most marked demonstrations of regard. The first toast, Gentlemen, said he, you all know is the most powerful Monarch on the face of the earth— King William, and God bless him.—(Cheers.) " The King." Drank with loud applause. The CHAIRMAN shortly rose again to propose the Princess Victoria. You are quite apprised, said the Hon. and Learned Gentleman, of the conspiracy which had been set on foot to alter the accession to the Throne.—(Hear, hear.) Part of the evidence respecting that conspiracy is before the public, and a great deal more could have been produced had it not been carefully concealed. I hope, however, before the next Session of Parliament is over, means will be taken to cause the entire of it to be disclosed. But there is even now enough of it before the public to prove that the Orange faction contemplated that act of treason which their entire conduct shows them to be natu rally capable of committing ; and, for my own part, I should scarcely be sorry they had attempted it.—(Hear, hear.) Ido believe that the attempt would give so much pleasure to the good portion of the community that they would unanimously combine to crush such a faction.— (Cheers.)._ " The'Princess Victoria."—Three times three. Mr. O'CoNNELL—The next toast is " The People," the genuine source of all legitimate power.--(Hear, hear, from Mr. Lawless.) I understand that cheer from my friend Lawless.—(Great cheering.) lam glad, however, that with all his zeal for the people he has like me grown ex tremely loyal ; and I believe, after all, we were the genuine loyalists.--(Loud cheers.) Well, I am struggling on in my career of agitation for the benefit of the people.—(En thusiastic applause.) In my late agitation, the flattering kindness of my friends gave me an opportunity of sounding public opinion in various parts of Ireland—at a public dinner in Kerry—public dinner in Tuam—at one on a small scale in Moate—and at one of great magnitude in Stradbally. The reports of the proceedings there which appeared in the newspapers was of so condensed a nature, and so cur tailed an account one way or other, that very little notion indeed of what was really said could be conveyed by it. I have gotten the authority, I may say, of two divisions, nay I will say of all Ireland—(Cheering)--to state this to the government and people of England—Your paper union we care not for—your parchment union we care not for— give us a union of prosperity, and of rights, of justice, and of benefits, for to such an union are we ready to concede— place us on an equality with yourselves, and then talk to me of an union, for then I will offer you in the name of the Irish people, not to talk of repeal ; but unless you do that, thank Heaven we have seven millions of people to fall back upon the question of Repeal again—(Loud and long-con tinued cheering)—while you have no resource in Ireland but a miserable Orange faction—(Renewed cheering)— who, when invited to - become repeaters, declared themselves ready to sell their country again —their country, did I say ? —no, they are no Irishmen.—(Loud cheers.) They de clared themselves anti-repealers, because they are not Irish. men.—(Continued cheering.) We have come exactly to that state of the case now. Igo to England, not as a paltry beggar to solicit alms, but I go to England as the re presentative of the Irish people.—(Loud cheers.) Justice we want, and justice we must have ; but I would rather that we should obtain it with the assistance of England. Ireland must have justice done to her, or, in the face of the world, and in the presence of England, she will be justified in looking to her own constitutional and national resources. —(Hear and cheers.) Let them but give us fair play ; they they will find that we require no more ; for if they even tendered more we would refuse, for ourselves alone.-- (Loud and continued cheers.) " The People, the genuine source of all legitimate polVer." Drunk with great enthusiasm. . Mr O ' CONNELL shortly after rose, and said, that it was without meaning to be obtrusive, he offered himself so soon to their notice again. " I have," said the Hon. and Learned Gentleman, " however, to propose a toast, which I never before proposed at any public assembly.—(Hear, hear.) I have been more than once, more than doubtful upon the subject, but' I now find it to be imperatively necessary to take part in it. The toast I mean to propose is that of poor laws.—(Great cheering.) The amended system of poor laws in England has worked so well that many of my objections are, in a great measure at least, removed by it. Besides, there is so much cruelty exercised by the landlords of Ireland, so much of hideous oppression practised by them, so many families turned in cold blood upon the world to starve, that I feel it impossible to punish the monsters who have been guilty of this atrocity as they ought to be, or to protect their victims, without the aid of poor laws.—(Hear , and cheers.) When I say that the Orange faction are in cendiaries, I am told they are not, and that they are ready to tolerate others, and I am told this while they are actually asserting their supremacy over others,—(Hear, hear.) I say, then, that their character is written in letters of bloo d — ear, hear, front Mr. Reynolds)—that they are , essentia lly,exterminators, an d I appea l for my proof to no other f act than that of their tyranny to t h ousands during th e last year, in turning them -upon the world to starve, with no other place of re f uge th an th e di tches, and in human anmadny insta nces l eav i n g them, in the - mos t 'in deaths, that produced by fever and starvation.—(Hear, unmerciful manner, to suffer the wont of tlcar.) In this manner they have exterminated whole lages, and therefore is it that I deny /heir right to say I ca lumniate them when I taunt them with being Moody exter minators of the Irish people.—(Hear, hear.) This rat has been felt not only in Ireland, but most fortunately else where." Mr. O'Connell concluded by proposing— ". An Improved System of Poor Laws for Ireland."— Thank with the greatest enthusiasm. "The health of Maurice O'Connell, Esq., M. P., the President of the Charity," which was received with enthu s4astie applause. Mr. O'CsoiNsu: again rose and said—l am about to propose to you the Catholic Clergy of Ireland.---(Loud cheers.) The manner in which you have received the mention of that estimable class of individuals shows the re spectful affection which you, in common with a whole peo ple, entertain towards them. Yet these arc the men whom the base Times has dared to designate " surpliced ruffians." It really astonishes me that Barnes can forget how many poor Irish in London are disengaged, who, if aware of his having used such a phrase, would dip their hands in soot and then blacken his face with filth.—(Loud laughter.) This would be a just retaliation, and it is by some such ex pellent that the audacity of the miscreant will be checked. _Olean) We have now to do honour to those who have pr ,;yed themselves the poor man's f r i en d s , un d er a ll c f refilitkinet ,, often tried and never found wanting. Mr. OVoog ri ,r, here announced, amid genera expres sions of regret, ibat he had received a communication which summoned him away, his attendoce being particularly re quired in another place. The Rev. Mr. TYRRELL said it was in) poss;Lle he (Mr.- O'Connell) could go until he had heard otic toast . . He (Mr. Tyrrell) would give them a toast to which tht;," would respond with the utmost eagerness. He concluded by proposing the health of the Liberator, which was drunk with the most unequivocal demonstrations of affectionate regard. Mr. O'CoNNELL, in acknowledging the honour, said, I have seen Administrations here, which, like the lion's mouth in Venice, were ready to receive everything thrust upon them, good and bad, but, unlike the lion's mouth, they closed their teeth upon, and crushed, and suppressed every thing of virtue or advantage to the country which came between them.—(Hear, hear.) I have seen in the courts of law the sheriffs party men, the jury party men, and the judges party men, so that the poor fellow who came before them was like a man playing with a gambler who used loaded dice ; there were 99 chances to one against him.— (Hear, hear.) Ireland has had her dark days, and long and dreary were they ; but there is now on the horizon a light which has for years been struggling into the splendour it now exhibits, and which continually increasing in brilliancy, will, ere long spread over the land in a full tide of glory. Mr. O'Connell then retired amid the cheers of the com pany. The company shortly after separated. DIRECT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DUBLIN AND LONDON. On Saturday a numerous and most respectable meeting of the citizens of Dublin was held in the Coffee-room of the Commercial Buildings, pursuant to public requisition, to take into consideration a plan for facilitating the com munication between Dublin and London by a new line of route through Pottdynllaen, in Carnarvonshire, which har horn- it is proposed to connect with London by a rail way--the distance to be accomplished in twelve hours and a half. Amongst the gentlemen present we noticed the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, the Right Honourable the Recorder, the Hon. Randal Plunkett, M.P., Sir John Kingston James, Bart., Mr. O'Connell, M.P., Christopher Fitzsimon, M.P., Sir Edward Stanley, Sir W. W. Lynar, Alderman Smyth, Colonel Jones PAITy, a member of the Welch deputation, and Messrs. Guinness, Bewley, D'Olier, Bart o n, Perry, Boyle, Williams, Codd, Pim ' &c. &c.' On the motion of Alderman SMYTH, seconded by AR THUR GUINNESS, Esq.,the Chair was taken by The Right Hon. the LORD MAYOR. _ His LORDSHIP expressed his gratification at being called upon to take the Chair upon such an occasion. He saw around him gentlemen who took different views upon other topics, but they came to that meeting influenced by one ob ject—the desire of doing good to their common country. Such being their motive, he was sure that if the project about to be submitted to the meeting was feasible, it would be embraced with warmth ; but if it were found upon in- quiry that the advantages which promised to result from it could not be realised, then upon its own demerits it would fall to the ground. Of this much he could inform the meeting, that the idea was not a novel one, for he recol lected it the common topic of conversation thirty years ago. He hoped that God in his infinite goodness and wisdom would open a new field for the exertions of Irish men, and for the employment of the poor and suffering po pulation of the country. He saw around him gentlemen that he knew had that object warmly at heart, and amongst them several distinguished strangers from another part of the kingdom, who had kindly afforded their assistance to carry the plan into effect. His Lordship concluded by in troducing Colonel Parry, a member of the Welch deputa tion, and a gentleman of large 'property in the county of Carnarvon, to 'the notice of the meeting. _ _ The report of Mr. Owen, the engineer employed to make the survey, was then read. It gave a most favourable ac count of the line marked out for the railroad, and of the harbour of Portdynllaen. Letters having been read from Mr. Ormsby Gore, Mr. Maddock, and Mr. Aston Smith, influential landholders in Carnarvon, apologising for not being able to attend the de- putation in Ireland, but promising their warm co-operation. Colonel PARRY rose and said, that the letters which had been just read to the meeting proceeded from gentlemen who had been deputed with him to co-operate with the citizens of Dublin in carrying into effect an easy and expeditious mode of communication with London, by railway—and he was bound to say, that they were in no ways personally in terested, in the undertaking, havinc , no property in the pa rish or immediate district through which it was to run. He himself lived within a few miles of the intended harbour, but had no interest in it further than being deputed by a public meeting of the county of Carnarvon, not certainly to take a lead in the thing, but to give the benefit of his assistance and advice, founded upon his local know ledge of the place, and experience of the advantages which it offered. It was not necessary at this time of the day to enter into a general disquisition upon the merits of rail ways and steam navigation, or of the great success which had always been consequent upon them. He did not want to discuss the relative merits of rival interests, or to depreciate the property of any commercial class. His object was to show that by adopting the proposed plan, Dublin and London would be brought closer to each other ; and by thus opening facilities of communication between the two great cities, national distinctions would be done away with, and the interests of the two countries would be con solidated. The more expeditious and frequent the com munication and intercourse, the more firmly would they cement the bond of union, and render it imperative upon the Imperial Legislature to .afford to all the benefits and protection of equal laws. Seeing around him men of transcendant talent and eloquence, it would be abusing the time and trying the patience of the meeting were he to in trude at great length upon their notice but this much he was bound to state in reference to what had fallen from his Lordship, that about the period alluded to he had the honour of a seat in Parliament, and in conjunction with several other Members of the House of Commons, put forward the present project ; but owing to circumstances which it was not necessary to detail at length, it fell to the ground. This much it was sufficient to say, that one of te principal reasons of its failure was, that the advantages of steam navigation and communication by railways were not sufficiently appreciated then. The Gallant Colonel here read an, extract from a pamphlet published by Mr. Archer, showing the natural facilities afforded by the harbour of Portdynllaen and the country through which the railroad is intended to pass. He also quoted Sir It. Peel's speech at Tamivotili i and a lecture of Dr. Lardner at Manchester, to demonstrate the benefits that were con ferred upon mankind by the discot'erY and application of the . principle of steam. He proceeded to say that where ever capital had been laid out on underta;,:ngs of this de scription, it had made ample retu rns . I n a rern,2:te part of the British dominions, the Highlands of Scotland, upwzds of 500,000/. had been expended on roads and bridges. In Kerry and other uninhabited parts of Ireland—(" Hear, hear," from Mr. O'Connell, and great laughter)—whenever capital was laid out, similar good fortune had crowned the efforts of the speculators, and he had not the slightest doubt upon his mind that the present undertaking would prove a source of great revenue. He could say sincerely, that the persons who had sent him there had no selfish or interested motive in proposing it, and, for that matter, would be satis fied at filen• choosing any other harbour that would be more favourable to their object. If this were a selfish or inte rested proposal, if it could be demonstrsted -that it was a visionary or impracticable one, let them at once throW it overboard, and, for his part, he would destroy every docu ment connected with it. The gallant Colonel concluded by repeating his conviction, that if the facilities of intercourse were increased, it would cement more closely the union be tween the two countries,, and conduce to the happiness and commercial prosperity of Ireland, which it would be ever his most anxious desire to promote. Mr. O ' CONNELL said that he offered himself thus early to the notice of the meeting, having engagements that called him elsewhere, in order that he might avail himself of the opportunity of making a few observations which occurred to him upon consideration of the present plan. He begged to offer his best services in carrying into effect any resolutions which the meeting might think proper to `pass. They should be given zealously and diligently, and with the full force of the few abilities that nature had con ferred upon him. In thus tendering to the projectors of the undertaking his co-operation and support, le wished to accompany 4 with a few remarks that suaestea themselves to his mind. In Holyhead, at present, a considerable amount of property was vested in facilitating the cora - veyance of goods an d passen ;one country to the other. Now, this propert I-W,lightly interfered: with, for let them place yes , n Pie situation of those persons who bad prop , 46( 4jArked, they would feel aggrieved if' their inter 4,ei• 4600th. The subject therefore was one of Eiiit-A;eigrjVand should be ap proached with tendernot94.W - 41 MY 'Eat however,' one con solation, they were not fore t? l 3elt_..s-t time meddling with that property. The transmission Df the mail by Liverpool had so diminished it as to shovirs4l.2o ... pOrsons that they had vested their money subject to will and pl easure of the Legislature ; they must have kn. awn that i n th e progress of society, fitter places might be :'elected for the purpose, and to this adverse contingency did they subject themselves. He had made it his business to consider attentively the plan that had been proposed to their consi deration. With respect to Portdynllaen as an asylum harbo ur he had no doubt that it would be found to possess very great advantages in a commercial point of view ; and, from its peculiar position, it was of great importance in point of humanity. On the coast of Connemara, where vessels fall upon a lee shore, it was absolutely necessary that there should be an asylum harbour, and if one vessel were saved in the ten years, would not that be sufficient to justify them in calling for improvements ? He spoke for argument sake of one vessel in ten years ; but they knew not how many had been lost in that time in endeavouring to keep clear of the Carnarvon coast. It therefore struck him that it was most interesting to the ;public that the harbour of Portdynllaen, which he understood to be deep, should re ceive such constructions of pier as would render it safe and c,;.mmodious. Then the meeting would have to consider whatirt:.r, by making those improvements in the harbour, an additional uJvantage might not be obtained. Holyhead had natural defet_ts, which he was convinced were irremedi able ; it was a tide Larbour, and the large sums laid out on it only facilitated the ent, - ante of vessels of a small class. In steam navigation it was o oyious that vessels acquired ra pidity not in the inverse, but in the accumulated ratio of horse-power. After a certain amount ,qf horse-power, th e har bour at Holyhead would not admit of ,large ste am vesse l s , whereas that of Portdynllaen,from its dept,l . of water, would admit vessels of any size or power. He should, therefore, take the first question, as to w heth e r it w ould be expedient to make Portdynilean the medium of communication, to be completely answered ; and, with respect to the railweyy, he could not see the slightest difficulty. Every one agreed that a railroad could not be constructed from Holyhead, as there were insurmountable difficulties in the way ; but that was not the case in the line that had been submitted to them. Having come to those conclusions, it would be their duty to assist the undertaking as much as possible. He was only throwing out his own opinions, and showing the meet ing that they would entireis , correspond with any resolution that might be adopted in favolzr of the undertaking. As to railroads generally, he thought that the more works of the sort were undertaken the better wr the country. The Dublin and Kingstown railway had succeeded better than he anticipated. He opposed it, because he thought that it was a bubble, and would prove a total failure. He was, however, ready to admit that in forming such an opinion he was grossly wrong ; and he was happy to find that those who had embarked their property in it, were now reaping the advantages of their speculation. With respect to the Valentia harbour and railway, he had not taken an active part, because he was personally interested in it ; and he made it a rule not to interfere actively in any public under taking in which he was privately concerned, lest be should mislead others by his example. In conclusion, the Hon. and Learned Gentleman observed, that the proposed un dertaking would, in bis opinion, be of very great advantage to the country ; and be begged to assure the meeting that he ;7ould give it his decided and warm support. The .RECORDER, in proposing the first resolution, ex-. pressed the pleasure which he felt a t fi n di ng th a t an oppor tunity had men: red when men w h o were w id e ly o pp ose d i n political sentiment, could meet together without re f erence to, and forgetful o f, p a ,..ty and personal diff erences , co-ope rating together for the public good to advance important national objects like the present. He also experienced gra tification at moving this particular resolution, for he appre hended that it was the duty of the British Government to render as easy and as expeditious as possible the communi cation between the metropolises of both countries. The resolution affirmed that truth, without committing any one as to the best means of carrying so desirable an object into effect. When asked to sign the requisition to the Lord Mayor, he refused to put his name to anything more than a statement that the subject was worthy of consideration ; nor was he then prepared in the absence of facts showing the advantages of this particular line, to aff,,rd his sanction to the project. _This, however, he would say, that all minor and personal considerations ought to be made subservient to so important an object as that of reducing the distance between the two cities. The line marked out on the map certainly appeared to him to be a direct one, and he en tirely concurred with his Bon. Friend (Mr. O'Connell) if he would allow him to call km so (Mr. O'Connell bowed), that it would have a most impo:tant and beneficial effect upon the commercial interests of tio country if practicable. Another consideration of vast imports ice was this, in addi tion to its effecting an easy and expeditions mode of 'com munication with London, it would make frt.:land the direct medium of communication between England a.ad America. —(Hear, hear.) Without pledging himself to any parti cular means of carrying those objects into effect, until he should be made better acquainted with the subject, which deserved the fullest consideration, he felt great pleasure in proposing the resolution which had been entrusted to him. The resolution was seconded by J. D'OLIER, Esq., and, having been put from the Chair, was carried unanimously. The Hon. RANDAL PLUNKETT proposed the next reso lution. To every practical measure, he said, which had for its object the improvement of Ireland, it would be his duty and his pleasure to afford tLe fullest support. But as the resolution which be held in his hand pledged him specifically , to this plan, as Representative of Drogheda he should hesi tate to afford his sanction to it untii he ascertained the feel ings of his constituents, whose interest;,s were likely to be materially affected by it. The port of Drogheda. being, in its commercial relations, to a certain degree, depenent upon that of Liverpool, he could not but feel that a debt of gratitude was due to those excellent Englishmen, who had lent their aid to facilitate the communication between the two countries. There was no doubt if English capital were introduced into this country, that Ireland had natural advantages which would enable her to reciprocate the be nefits that would be conferred upon her. He therefore begged to offer those gentlemen his thanks for the kindness of their intentions ; without pronouncing any opinion upon the feasibility of their vlan. _ _ Mr. ARTHUR GUINNEOS seconded the resolution; and observed that it would be waste of time to enlarge upon the benefits of the proposed plan, every commercial man being fully aware of the importance of Portdynllaen as a harbour. lie was confident that the citizens of Dublin would afford every assistance in their power to further it. In his opinion it would not have the slightest effect upon the commercial interests of Liverpool. Sir JOHN KINGSTON JAMES said, that after the able ar guments that had been adduced in favour of the new line, it would not be necessary for him to say any thing in re commending the next resolution to their notice. He was quite satisfied that the undertaking would be most advan tageous in a commercial point of view. Mr. D'OLIEE seconded the resolution. Mr. WILLIAMS observed that the proposed undertaking was one of great national importance ; but it was of such magnitude that it was impossible for private individuals to raise the money necessary to complete it. He was satis fied, however, that every man would cheerfully pay a tax laid on for that purpose. The meeting was severally addressed by Messrs. Perry, Boyle, and Alderman Smith, and a committee was ap pointed to carry the resolutions into effect. The LORD MAYOR having left the Chair, and CHRISTO. PHER FITZSIMON, Esq., M.P., having been called to it the lion. Gentleman took that opportunity of expressing his entire concurrence in the objects of the meeting, and assured them that they should have the aid of his Parlia mentary support. Thanks were then voted to the Lord Mayor, and the meeting separated. HIPPING.-(THIS DAY.) (FRO . M . LLOYD'S.) DEAL, JAN. 26.—Wind 6, W.—Arrived, the Universe, Brock, from China ; Grasshopper, Bellinghurstf from the South Seas. Sailed—the Addiugham, Sedgwick, for the Cape of Good Hope. DOVER, JAN. 26.—Arrived off port, the Lavinia, Cain, from Hobart Town ; Juno, Langstock, from Rio Janeiro. Poirrsmorrii, JAN. 26.—Wind S. W.—Arrived, the Active, Ridler, and Speedy, Prettvjohn, from .St. Michael's. STANGATE CREEK, JAN. 25. Arrived, the Traveller, Sutherland, from Mogairre. COWES, JAN. 26.--Arrived, the Princess Charlotte, Sharpe, from Rio Janeiro. LIVERPOOL, JAN. 26.—Arrived, the Antigua Packet, M'Knight, from Manilla ; Swiftsure, Boay, from Loango ; Swallow, M'Kean, from Pernambuco ; Jane, Gillies, from Nassau ; Franconia, Crabtree, from Savannah ; Belgrave, t l i .)° o '' m t:— D t e h n e ler E ar m a n ; 'a C . orsair , f \ r ‘ o 'i m llia c n a is l c , u tftraoTm Indian n c g h t i o e n i: _ O2; from Halifax. ived the Washington, P o pham, from —, CORK, JAN. 24 . — Arr • Charleston, with loss of rudder, bound to Havre. The William Allen, D' ig y, from Belfast to Jamaica, was stranded near Port Patriek,'on the 23d instant, and two of the crew drowned. The John Metcalf, of Workington, was on shore near Bel. fast, on the 23d inst. The Constance, Olton, from Hamburgh to Rio Janeiro, was burned at sea, in lat. 20. long. 24.—Crew saved. The Inca, Harrison, bound to Canton, has put back to Li• erpool, with damage, having been in contact with a brig, r) . the ieh less the 30 1 but p't apt ler pro see